Dicliptera maclearii
# Dicliptera maclearii

Dicliptera maclearii is a species of plant in the family Acanthaceae which is endemic to Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the north-eastern Indian Ocean. Its specific epithet honours John Maclear, captain of the survey vessel HMS Flying Fish, which visited Christmas Island in 1886.

## Description

Dicliptera maclearii is an erect herb with small pink flowers growing to 1 m in height. Its leaves are lanceolate to ovate, acuminate or spine-tipped, 20–70 mm long and 5–30 mm wide. It closest relative is D. ciliata.

## Distribution and habitat

Found only on Christmas Island, it is common in places on the lower terraces of the island, including at Flying Fish Cove and North West Point.

